Trump backs Schimel in Wisconsin court fight as Democrats eye redistricting power play
By isabelle // 2025-03-25
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  • Trump endorses Judge Brad Schimel in Wisconsin’s April 1 Supreme Court race, calling it critical to block Democratic redistricting efforts.
  • A Schimel loss could shift Wisconsin’s political landscape, risking GOP House seats and conservative priorities such as election integrity.
  • The election is a chance for conservatives to regain court control after liberals gained a 4-3 majority there in 2023.
  • Record-breaking spending ($76M+) fuels the race, with billionaires like Elon Musk (supporting Schimel) and George Soros (supporting Crawford) heavily involved.
  • Democrats aim to flip House seats via redistricting, while Republicans warn Crawford would advance progressive activism.
President Donald Trump has thrown his weight behind conservative Judge Brad Schimel in Wisconsin’s pivotal April 1 Supreme Court election, framing the race as a last stand to restore constitutional governance and block Democratic efforts to redraw congressional maps. The endorsement, issued Friday on Truth Social, warns that a Schimel loss could embolden liberal justices to reshape Wisconsin’s political landscape, including flipping two Republican U.S. House seats, while undermining public safety and election integrity. With early voting underway, Trump’s mobilization call underscores the high stakes: A Schimel victory would tilt the court back to conservative control after liberals gained a 4-3 majority in 2023. Polls show a tight race, and Trump’s influence in a state he carried twice could prove decisive.

A battle for judicial control

The election marks a rare opportunity for conservatives to reclaim the court’s balance. The seat opened with the retirement of liberal Justice Ann Walsh Bradley, and Schimel’s opponent, Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, has drawn fierce GOP criticism for her record on crime and ties to progressive donors. “She is the handpicked voice of the Leftists who are out to destroy your State, and our Country,” Trump wrote, accusing Crawford of leniency toward violent offenders. Schimel, a former state attorney general and Waukesha County judge, vowed to “restore objectivity” to the bench, telling supporters: “The stakes could not be any higher.” Democrats, meanwhile, have openly admitted their ambitions. A leaked email revealed party donors were told a Crawford win could put “two additional U.S. House seats” in play by redrawing maps currently favoring Republicans Bryan Steil and Derrick Van Orden. “They got caught saying the quiet thing out loud,” Schimel said. The race has shattered spending records, surpassing $76 million as billionaires like Elon Musk (backing Schimel) and George Soros (supporting Crawford) pour funds into the contest. The court’s rulings will impact abortion access, union policies, and 2026 redistricting — a fact Trump emphasized: “This could have much to do with the future of our Country.” Wisconsin Republicans argue Crawford’s judicial philosophy aligns with progressive activism, citing her past challenges to voter ID laws and appearances with groups targeting GOP House members. “Schimel will stand by the Constitution,” state GOP Chair Brian Schimming said.

Mobilizing the base

Trump’s endorsement amplifies his unique pull in Wisconsin, where he defeated Kamala Harris in 2024 with nearly 1.7 million votes. Internal GOP projections suggest Schimel needs just 60% of Trump voters to prevail. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) urged conservatives to turn out, warning a Crawford victory would cement “radical left” control. Yet Crawford’s campaign dismissed Trump’s involvement, tweeting: “Schimel has spent his career on bent knee to right-wing special interests.” As Wisconsin voters head to the polls, the election transcends state lines. A Schimel win would thwart Democratic plans to reshape Congress and rein in a court accused of partisan overreach. For conservatives, it’s a chance to reclaim a branch of government—and for Trump, another test of his enduring political clout. “PRESERVE LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL,” Trump declared. In battleground Wisconsin, that rallying cry may decide more than just a judgeship. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com NYPost.com FoxNews.com APNews.com
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